Basil, Sweet basil or Holy basil in India is the most sacred plant in every Hindu household. Every traditional Indian home has at least one plant of Holy basil growing in their yard, which they use for both medicinal as well as religious purposes. It is called Ramtulasi in Hindi, Sabje in Gujarati, Sabza in Marathi, Tirunittru in Tamil, Khubkalam in Bengali, Kattu tulasi in Malayalam. In Oriya we call it Tulasi too.Its Botanical name is Ocimum basilicum.
Tulsi has been revered in India for over five thousand years, as a healing balm for body, mind and spirit, and is known to bestow an amazing and diverse healing properties resulting in a number of health benefits.
Basically a tropical herb, Holy basil has a strong pungent taste and a distinctive sweet aroma that makes it a favourite for various culinary preparations as well. Sweet basil, with its wonderful aroma and flavour, is one of the most popular and widely grown herbs in the world. Basil is an annual herb to 2-3 ft 0.6-0.9 m tall with slender but woody, green stems. Basil has with hairy stems and simple opposite green leaves, oval and slightly toothed. The tiny purple or white flowers arranged in flattened whorls that encircle the stems, one whorl above another.
There are two main types of cultivated in India. Sri or Lakshmi tulsi or gaya tulsi has green leaves and Krishna tulsi has purple leaves. In Oriya we call it Dhala tulasi and Kala Tulasi.
It is a principal herb of Ayurveda, the ancient traditional holistic health system of India. It is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of "elixir of life” and is known as “The Incomparable One", "The Mother Medicine of Nature", and "The Queen of Herbs”. It is believed to promote longevity. Tulsi’s extracts are used in ayurvedic remedies for common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria. Tulsi leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever and is used any seasonal cold. Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle. A decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt gives immediate relief in case of influenza. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months expels them via the urinary tract. Basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, mixed with mustered oil is used as toothpaste for brushing teeth. It is beneficial in counteracting bad breath and for massaging the gums to prevent and cure pyorrhoea and other teeth disorders. For centuries, the dried leaves of tulsi mixed with grains is used to repel insects while preserving them. Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogen having anti-stress elements in it. It has antioxidant properties helpful in promoting immune system function. Recent studies suggested Tulsi to be an effective treatment for diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels. The same study showed significant reduction in total cholesterol levels with tulsi so beneficial in heart disease.
In Vaishnavite cult this flower and plant is revered greatly because it is believed to be the favourite flower of Lord Vishnu.
The Sacred pot with Holy basil in it to be worshipped called ' Chaura' in our inner yard
